Allosaurs are found in abundance in the fossil record due to the size and durability of their bones. Most creation scientist interpret the existence of such fossils to mean that the organism was alive at the time of the global flood, which is described in the Biblical book of Genesis. Furthermore because the text says that all land animals were placed on Noah's ark, if correct the dinosaur was also included in their number, and became extinct very recently.

Contents

Paleobiology

Skeleton of an Allosaurus fragilis.

Allosaurs were bipedal (walked on two legs), possessed the lizard-like hips similar to all saurischians, and they belonged to a saurischia subgroup known as the Theropods which name means beast-footed for their 3-toed foot. They also had grasping hands and sharp claws, and were some of the most ferocious animals to have ever roamed the earth.[3]

The exact number of genera that belong to this group is still debated as most of the carnosaurs are closely related.[4] The type genus for this group (Allasaurus) reached sizes up to 40 ft long, 15 feet high, and weighed 1-2 tons. Their head was up to 3 ft long with large eye sockets indicating they had keen vision.[5] Above their eyes were fragile horns that may have served to shade the eyes or were simply ornamental displays to attract mates. Within the skull were well develop sinus cavities indicating that they had an advanced sense of smell, and some have suggested the sinuses may have held a chemoreceptor organ similar to the Jacobson's organ.[2]

Claw of an Allosaurus fragilis.

Their jaw hinged in the very back of their skull enabling the allosaur to open its mouth wide to deliver a massive bite, and they had cheeks that could expand to take in huge pieces of food. It had as many as 40 teeth on both the upper and lower jaw that were sharp and serrated (saw-like) measuring 4.5 inches.[5] Toward the back of the skull the teeth became narrower and curved backward to keep smaller prey from escaping. Its probable that their were replaced constantly during it’s lifetime which is the reason that allosaur teeth are common fossils.[6]

In combination, their anatomical features allowed the Allosaurs be one of the most successful hunters of their time, significantly outnumbering other carnivores with whom they competed.[4] They are by far the most common large theropod in the USA, accounting for 70 to 75% of the specimens found in the Morrison Formation (vast tract of fossil-bearing rock in the Western USA).[2]

Fossil Graveyard

In 1940, more than forty well preserved allosaurs were found buried together in Utah.[5]Fossil graveyards as they are known are not uncommon in the fossil record, and secular scientists are at a loss to explain their existence sufficiently. According to Wikipedia:

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"Nearly a dozen scientific papers have been written on the taphonomy of the site, coming up with numerous contradictory explanations for how it formed. Suggestions have ranged from animals getting stuck in a bog, to becoming trapped in deep mud, to falling victim to drought-induced mortality around a waterhole, to getting trapped in a spring-fed pond or seep".[7]

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Such explanations fall short, since any satisfactory theory must account not only for the multiple deaths, but provide a mechanism for their rapid burial so that fossilization can occur. A natural disaster capable of killing and burying them rapidly is the most logical and probable cause. This event was most likely the flood of Noah that is described in the Biblical book of Genesis.[5]

After the excavation of the Allosaur was complete Vision Forum and Creation Expeditions made and released a documentary titled “Raising the Allosaur”. Controversy and criticisms about the film surface quickly because of many inaccuracies that were present, the most notable of which was the failure to give any credit for the excavation to the directing paleontologist Joe Taylor .[10][11] After the exposure of ethical violations the film was pulled from the market in October of 2004.[12]